Oversight and accountability of places of detention
Australia has moved a step closer to ensuring independent monitoring, inspection and oversight of places of detention. On 28 February 2012, the Commonwealth Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, and then Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Craig Emerson, tabled a National Interest Analysis (‘NIA’) on Australia’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. The NIA has been referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties for inquiry and report as to the national interest in ratification.